"The most important things to remember about back story are that (a) everyone has a history and (b) most of it isn't very interesting."
― Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft


"Shane!"

I was prepared to greet my husband with silence. I wasn't ready to see someone I hadn't laid eyes on in a long time. I couldn't hide the surprise in my voice after noticing who was coming into our house. He was following behind Rick, all bloodied and bruised. Luckily, I had just finished preparing supper.

"Hey, Lori," Shane mumbled.

"Shane." My enthusiasm tapered.

I was hesitant to move forward, unsure whether to embrace Shane. Rick was standing between us, and just one look from my husband was answer enough to avoid any physical contact. Shane had even gone as far as to stand farthest away, maintaining his allegiance to Rick. What I was able to ascertain from one fleeting glance from Shane, anything less than the truth, held a deadly consequence for both of us.

"You can stay here for a while. I will talk to a few people and see if we can get you set up with a place nearby." My husband offered.

"I may have something already. Already offered to me. Kind of prefer it."

"Yeah?" Rick was curious as was I.

"That Inn at the Honky Tonk. I met up with Tyrese before finding you on the church step talking to-I can sense Tyrese is a damn good guy. Good people."

Rick blushed as he nodded. I was stuck wanting to know who and why my husband was on the church steps at some point and if it had anything to with ending our marriage unceremoniously as possible.

"Well, you are welcome to take the sofa tonight." My hospitality was quickly met with a look from my husband before he returned his attention to Shane, who did not readily accept nor decline.

Rick continued, "The offer stands if you want to stay the night. In the morning, I want to offer you a position of deputy."

"Deputy?"

"Together, we can run this town. Keep the community safe."

There was no hesitation in Shane's response, "I would like that."

"Okay, you two, go on and wash your hands. Supper's ready. Restroom over there." I directed them both before allowing them around the kitchen table. I began to place a bowl in front of each man who continued to talk while I supplied a heaping amount from the ladle with an offering of sweet cornbread. I became painfully unsure of myself when I caught Shane's attention darted directly at my belly, awkwardly he refocused back to tasting his food and listening to Rick. It made me painfully unsure of myself.

"So, what's the plan?" Shane had asked after swallowing a spoonful of chili.

"I've been meeting up with some of the men who can shoot. They've taken up arms and prepared to shoot to kill if danger lands at their doorstep. More than I care to mention is leaning on prayer and God's protection. I plan to only help those who can and will help themselves. I have Pastor Gabriel to corral the foolish who stand to get us all killed. I had a hell of a time trying to convince him there's no way to load bullets in a bible. Says he understands it, but I'm not privy to what he has worked out with God."